French firm supports ICE in tracking immigrants • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): US federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
• Capgemini: French multinational IT services and consulting company.
• Skip Tracing: The practice of locating individuals who have intentionally or unintentionally become difficult to find, in this case, undocumented immigrants.
• CGS (Capgemini Government Solutions): The US subsidiary of Capgemini focused on government contracts.
• Kakaron Stock Market Index: A French stock market index.

Capgemini’s Involvement with US Immigration Enforcement

The video details the significant role Capgemini, a French IT services and consulting firm, plays in supporting the operations of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While publicly presenting itself as a company focused on “unleashing human energy using technology,” Capgemini is actively involved in assisting ICE with identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants.

Contract Details and Financial Incentives

Capgemini has been working with the US Department of Homeland Security for the past 15 years, and specifically with ICE. Publicly available contract databases reveal two key areas of collaboration. Firstly, Capgemini manages a telephone hotline for individuals who have been victims of crimes committed by immigrants – an initiative originating with the Trump administration. More significantly, the company secured a $365 million contract in November to develop a system for “skip tracing,” the process of locating and identifying undocumented immigrants. This contract includes performance-based bonuses; the more effectively Capgemini locates individuals for deportation, the greater the financial reward. A now-removed article on Capgemini’s website explicitly stated the company’s aim to “minimize the time required and the cost required to remove all removable illegal aliens from the US.”

Removal of Public Information & Corporate Response

The removal of the aforementioned article from Capgemini’s website raises questions about the company’s willingness to publicly acknowledge its involvement with ICE. The CEO of Capgemini has declined direct comment, instead issuing a statement asserting the operational independence of its US subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions (CGS).

Structure of Capgemini Government Solutions (CGS)

The CEO’s statement emphasizes that CGS operates as a distinct entity. Key points of this separation include:

• Independent Board: CGS is governed by a board comprised of US directors with security clearances.
• Separate Decision-Making: Decision-making processes within CGS are independent of the parent Capgemini group.
• Network Security: Networks are “firewalled,” preventing the Capgemini group from accessing classified information, contracts, or technical operations related to CGS.
• Regulatory Compliance: This structure is designed to comply with US regulations regarding classified information.

The CEO claims to have been previously unaware of the ICE contracts signed by CGS and states he is now initiating a review of the situation.

Scale and Scope of Capgemini’s Operations

Capgemini is a substantial global company, employing approximately 350,000 people worldwide. Its American office, located near Washington DC, serves multiple US government departments, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veteran Affairs, in addition to its work with ICE. The $365 million ICE contract demonstrates the significant financial stake Capgemini has in supporting US immigration enforcement.

Logical Connections & Implications

The video establishes a clear connection between Capgemini’s stated corporate values and its actions supporting potentially controversial immigration policies. The financial incentives tied to successful deportations raise ethical concerns about the company’s role in a sensitive and often-criticized area of government enforcement. The attempt to distance the parent company from the actions of its US subsidiary through claims of operational independence is presented as a potential effort to mitigate reputational damage.